Made from peated Scottish barley and mountain spring water. James Busuttil does this as a side business -- by day, he teaches public high school. From the opinion of our group, not only do we want him to switch to full-time distilling, but some guys were talking about bankrolling him. This was a big favorite, and found few objections among our group.

Nose is spirity and malty with some caraml and oily creme. Palate is warm and smooth. I know this is not the 3 year the label states and it seems more like 10-12 year. After a few minutes the vanillas begin to dominate and a nuttiness comes through in both the nose and palate. Takes water well but not too much.

Oddly good but not like anything else. Very different in a good way. Some old wood flavors that dominate the finish and creates a strange after-taste. Something like butterscotch and beer mixed together.

The aroma is floral, a bit Irish, a bit bourbon, though with some fruit and a hint of smoke. The taste is a cross between Irish and bourbon, smooth but sweet. Then a sweet pineapple, like a pineapple Starburst (if there is such a thing). The finish continues with the pineapple and a hint of smoke. There are some interesting flavors here but it's a bit flat; they don't really come to life.